Whooping cough or Pertussis infection lasts several weeks and consists of 3 stages:
- Catarrhal stage: rhinorrhea, mild fever, coryza and mild cough (1-2 weeks). Infants may have apnea respiratory distress.
- Paroxysmal stage: increased cough with spells of repetitive usually dry cough, followed by sudden inspiratory effort (whoop) and post-tussive emesis (2-6 wks)
- Convalescent stage: decreasing frequency and severity of coughing episodes (>2weeks)